NEWSTED Completes Recording Debut Album

NEWSTED, the new band led by former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist Jason Newsted, has completed recording its first full-length album, to be released later this year. NEWSTED is scheduled to begin mixing the effort later this week, with more details to be announced soon.

NEWSTED will kick off its first-ever U.S. tour on April 19 in Walnut Creek, California. The 14-date trek will conclude on May 23 in Asbury Park, New Jersey and will lead into a number of European festival appearances for the band, which is completed by STAIND guitarist Mike Mushok, drummer Jesus Mendez Jr. and guitarist Jessie Farnsworth.

“It was obvious from the word go that Mike is one of us,” Jason said about Mushok‘s addition to the group. “Professional, focused, happy and grateful to be able to make our beautiful noise together!”

“I loved the old-school vibe of [NEWSTED‘s] ‘Metal’ EP, and when we got together to jam, it really felt great,” added Mushok.

“STAIND is taking a break for a while, so when Jason asked if I was interested in joining them to record an album and play on the upcoming tour, it was perfect timing. All I could say was, ‘Hell yeah! I’m totally down for this.'”

“Metal”, the debut EP from NEWSTED, sold around 6,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 62 on The Billboard 200 chart.

“Metal” was released on January 8 exclusively via iTunes. The EP was made available as a physical CD on January 15.

“Metal” contains the following tracks:

* Soldierhead
* Godsnake
* King Of The Underdogs
* Skyscraper

“Soldierhead”, the first video from NEWSTED, can be seen below. Directed by Leon Melas, the clip was filmed on December 15, 2012 in an abandoned factory in California.